Box Score (PDF)
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – Appearing in Jacksonville for the first time, Purdue (3-0) scored 22 of the game's first 26 points en route to a 70-47 victory over the North Florida women's basketball team at UNF Arena. The Ospreys drop to 1-3 on the season and will turn around to play Florida State on Tuesday morning.

North Florida couldn't overcome a 15-0 run that the Boilermakers used to close out the first quarter. Purdue went 8-for-11 in the first frame including 2-for-2 from beyond the arc. A trio of double digit scorers, led by Bridget Perry's game-high 18, guided Purdue to their fifth 3-0 start in the last six seasons.

Sophomore Sierra Shepherd led the way for the Ospreys with 14 points and five assists. It marks the second-straight game she has recorded five or more assists. Junior Claire Ioannidis tallied 11 points on 4-of-9 shooting. She added three assists and a pair of rebounds. Freshman Katie Meckus made the most of her 15 minutes on the court, adding seven points and six rebounds (four on the offensive end).

It was a tale of two halves as the Ospreys were able to slow the down the high-paced Purdue attack in the in the final 20 minutes. Purdue only outscored the North Florida, 30-28 while the Ospreys won the third quarter, 17-16. The third quarter has been a strong point for North Florida this season, also outscoring Nebraska on Monday in the third period.

Freshman Hadley Kiefer knocked down a three on a pass from Shepherd to pull North Florida within 20 going into the fourth. The long ball to close the half was the second of the game after Shepherd closed the first half with a running three-point from the top of the arc.

"I think the second half we played better, we executed better and were better defensively," said Head Coach Darrick Gibbs. "We just need to keep progressing and as you know our schedule doesn't get any easier, so we need to get better and correct the things we need to correct moving forward."

On the glass the Ospreys were able to create extra opportunities on offense with a season-high, 13 offensive rebounds. The rebounding margin, which was cut down significantly in today's game as the Purdue won the battle on the glass 38-35.
Senior Kadesia Johnson had a game-high eight rebounds and chipped in five points off the bench.

Purdue's 6-foot-6 center, Nora Kiesler had 11 points, five rebounds and two blocked shots on the afternoon. Ashely Morrissette rounded out the game's double-digit scorers with 14 points to go along with five rebounds.

It will be another quick turnaround for the Ospreys when they take on Florida State in Tallahassee on Tuesday morning. Game time is set for 11:00 a.m. and the game will be aired live on ESPN3.